Mississauga neighbourhood park set to be renamed after real estate mogul and philanthropist

Kaneff gave millions to local causes

Thestar.com
July 18, 2022
Steve Cornwell

A Mississauga park is set to be renamed after one of the city’s renowned real estate moguls and philanthropists.

City council voted July 6 to rename Camilla Park as Iggy Kaneff Park, after the founder of the Mississauga-based Kaneff Corporation.

Ignat (Iggy) Kaneff died in July 2020 at the age of 93 following a long development career in the GTA that also saw the Bulgaria-born businessperson give millions to local hospitals, charities and the University of Toronto Mississauga.

At the July 6 meeting local councillor Dipika Damerla shared a story of Kaneff visiting his rental properties days before his death to ensure they were COVID-19 compliant, and said that was an example of the passion and focus that made him successful. “Certainly a sad day when he passed away and I’m really pleased that we are able to honour him in this way,” she said.

“He was a living legend in his day,” said Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, who added, Kaneff left “an indelible mark on our city.”

Kaneff, according to multiple accounts, arrived in Canada at 25 in the 1950s with only $5 and started as a construction labourer prior to starting his own company.

Camilla Park, which is currently 8.2 hectares, opened in 1963 and the city is planning to expand it as part of its Cooksville Parkland Acquisition program.